Saturday, October 11, 2008

Striking Kiwi Sauvignon

A distinctive New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc - not from Marlborough, the region normally associated with Kiwi Sauvignon, but from nearby Nelson. This shows perfectly the passion fruit character that is often part of the aroma of Sauvignon, which comes from a chemical that belongs to a group known as 'thiols'. Thiols are sulfur-containing compounds that are quite important in wine flavour chemistry - wine science geeks will know that as well as being positive, in some contexts they can contribute to the fault known commonly as 'reduction'.

Brightwater Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2007 Nelson, New ZealandRemarkably forward, aromatic passion fruit nose that's quite tropical, and slightly 'sweaty'. The palate is broad and quite rich with tropical fruit and a grassy minerally freshness. A really intense, striking sort of Sauvignon that teeters on the edge of being unbalanced, but which I quite like. 90/100 (£10.79 Laithwaites)

4 Comments:

Jamie - do you find much excitement in Marlborough SB these days or has that which is widely available become a bit sweet and generic? Is Nelson the place to be looking...or is the North Island even more interesting?

Dan - not all that much, no - but there are some marlborough Sauvignons I really rate - things like Clos Henri, Kohu, Blind River. I think what Marlborough does so well is consistent, solidly commercial Sauvignon.

As most of you are aware Marlborough had a terrible vintage last year, with rain at harvest and over production. This resulted in subpar Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc and terrible Pinot Gris.If you still have a desire to drink Marlborough 2008 Sauvignon then here are a few suggestions: Discovery Pinot Blanc, Two Rivers 'Convergence', and Walnut Block.These are not one dimensional Marlborough Sauvignons but more austere and textural.So in a terrible vintage it pays to shop carefully.